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Science News Archive August 2024


Page 1 of 38

Social network of synapses controls their actions

A recent study suggests that synaptic plasticity is a collective action, where the behavior of one synapse influences others. The researchers found that strong competition among neighboring spines affects their dynamics and influences the direction and extent of plasticity. Understanding how neurons manage synaptic resources may contri...

SourceUniversitatsklinikum Bonn·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 31, 2024

Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair is better than medical therapy alone in patients with heart failure and mitral regurgitation

A randomized controlled trial found that transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER) significantly reduced cardiovascular death and hospitalizations for heart failure, compared to medical therapy alone. The study also showed improved health status in patients with moderate to severe functional mitral regurgitation.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 31, 2024

SNU researchers develop ultra-high efficiency next-generation perovskite light-emitting diodes by strengthening perovskite lattice

Researchers at Seoul National University developed ultra-high efficiency perovskite nanocrystal LEDs by incorporating conjugated molecular multipods to strengthen the lattice and reduce dynamic disorder, leading to improved luminescence efficiency. This achievement is expected to significantly accelerate the commercialization of next-g...

SourceSeoul National University College of Engineering·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2024

New clues on how the heart makes arteries

Researchers have elucidated how new arteries form in the heart using single-cell sequencing and 3D mapping. Pre-arterial cells play a major role in growing new arteries, contradicting current thinking about artery development. This discovery opens possibilities for developing treatments that stimulate regenerative pathways.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalCirculation Research·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2024

What a submerged ancient bridge discovered in a Spanish cave reveals about early human settlement

A new study by University of South Florida geologist Bogdan Onac and colleagues has found that humans settled the western Mediterranean much earlier than previously believed. The discovery of a 25-foot submerged bridge, dated to nearly 6,000 years ago, provides compelling evidence of earlier human activity on Mallorca's island.

SourceUniversity of South Florida·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeObservational study·DateAug 30, 2024

NCT/UCC Dresden: Millions in funding from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative for state-of-the-art imaging to accurately detect minute tumors

The NCT/UCC Dresden research team will utilize the funding to carry out fundamental studies and develop novel physical effects to optimize short-wave infrared imaging. This technology has the potential to enable non-invasive microscopic examination of deeper tissue layers, improving tumor diagnosis and therapy.

Coordination dynamics of iron enables the selective C-N coupling but bypasses unwanted C-H hydroxylation in Fe(II)/-ketoglutarate-dependent non-heme enzymes

The study reveals that conformational change of Fe(IV)=O species and substrate coordination are key to the selective C-N coupling. The aziridination reaction involves rotation of the side-chain, causing steric hindrance that inhibits it. In contrast, hydroxylation has minor steric effects.

When the heat makes you disoriented

Researchers find that heatwaves significantly impair bumblebees' ability to detect floral scents, leading to up to 80% deterioration in female workers. The study highlights the importance of considering climate change's impact on insect-plant interactions for future species conservation initiatives.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateAug 30, 2024

Atrial fibrillation guidelines focus on shared and equal care, patient empowerment, comorbidities, evidence-based management and dynamic re-evaluation

The new ESC Guidelines focus on tackling atrial fibrillation's growing impact by emphasizing equal care, education, and dynamic re-evaluation. Comorbidities and risk factors are critical to managing AF, with a 'safety-first' approach and shared-decision making on treatment.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·DateAug 30, 2024

New study finds Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollees experience similar declines in frailty over one year compared with Traditional Medicare (TM) enrollees

A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollees experience similar declines in frailty over one year compared to Traditional Medicare (TM) enrollees. The researchers suggest that future work should examine the impact of specific services covered by health insurance on frailty and health trajector...

SourceHebrew SeniorLife Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 30, 2024

Semaglutide reduces COVID-19 related deaths in patients with obesity and CVD

A new substudy of the SELECT Trial found that semaglutide reduced rates of all-cause death, CV death, and non-CV death, including death from COVID-19, in patients with overweight or obesity and established cardiovascular disease without diabetes. Semaglutide also showed protective effects against COVID-19-related adverse events.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateAug 30, 2024

Biodiversity loss: Many students of environment-related subjects are partly unaware of the causes

A worldwide survey by Goethe University Frankfurt found that students in environmental studies are unaware of the main causes of biodiversity loss. The study identified eight response types with varying levels of understanding, with climate change being underestimated in many countries. The researchers suggest that this lack of knowled...

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·Journalnpj Biodiversity·TypeSurvey·DateAug 30, 2024

CNIC scientists discover a new cardiovascular risk factor and identify a drug able to reduce its effects

Researchers at CNIC discover clonal hematopoiesis as a new cause of atherosclerosis, while identifying the ancient medication colchicine as a potential treatment. Clonal hematopoiesis is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, with no influence on the progression of mutated blood cells.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalNature Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 30, 2024

Cancer tool “unable to accurately predict” toxicity levels in UK patients

A UK study found that a widely-used cancer treatment tool is unable to accurately predict toxicity levels in older adults. The Cancer Aging Research Group (CARG) score was developed to estimate severe chemotherapy-related side effects but failed to provide reliable results in this population. In contrast, frailty screening tools showed...

SourceUniversity of Dundee·JournalBMJ Oncology·TypeObservational study·DateAug 30, 2024